Three-side lock snap fastener



July 7,` 1953 H. s. VAN BUREN, JR

THREE-SIDE LOCK SNAP FASTENER- Filed oct. 21, 195o \NVENTOR: HAROLD S. VAN Bunemm BY/fad/ AGEN-r.

Patented July 7, 1953 THB/EESIDE LOCK SNAP FASTENER Harold S. van Buren, Jr., Cambridge, Mass., as-

signor to United-Carr Fastener Corporation, Cambridge, Mass., a corporation of Massachusetts Application October 21, 1950, Serial No. 191,406

s Claims.

This invention relates to snap fasteners, and aims generally to improve the construction and operation of snap fasteners of the type in which the socket and cooperating stud member can be disengaged only by a separating force applied on one predetermined side of the assembly.

A primary object of the invention is the provision of an improved three-side lock snap fastener assembly which is simpler, stronger and more economical in construction than prior devices of this type and in which a minimum of parts is required to be aligned during assembly thereof.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a snap fastener assembly having improved means for preventing separation of the socket and cooperating stud member in response to separating forces applied on any one of three sides of the assembly and for permitting ready separation thereof in response to a force applied on the fourth side of the assembly.

Another object of the invention is to provide a three-side lock snap fastener socket in which means which is provided thereon for alignment of the socket in an automatic attaching machine is also adapted to engage a portion of the supporting sheet to which the socket is attached to prevent rotation of the socket relative thereto.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent to persons skilled in Y the art from a consideration of the accompanying drawing and annexed specification illustrating and describing a preferred construction embodying the invention.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of the socket member embodying the features of the invention;

1Eig. 2 is a view in section taken on the line 2 2 Iof Fig. l;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the body of the socket member during one stage of the manufacture thereof Fig. 4 is a view in elevation, partly in section, of the socket member of the invention attached to a supporting sheet and assembled with a stud member; and

Fig. 5 is a View in elevation partly in section of the socket and cooperating stud member showing the effect of a disengaging force applied on the unlocking side of the socket; and

Fig. 6 is a View in section taken on line 5--6 of Fig. 4.

Referring to the drawings, there is illustrated a three-side lock snap fastener assembly comprising va socket member Ill and a Cooperating Stud member 25. The socket member IIJ is preferably formed of sheet metal and comprises a base member I I having an opening I Ztherein for receiving a rivet I3 for attaching the socket to an attaching cap I4, and a supporting sheet I5. A tab I6 is punched out from the base member II and cooperates with an automatic attaching machine to align the socket in a predetermined direction prior to attachment thereof to the supporting sheet I5. During such attachment the tab IS is bent over to the position shown in Fig. 4 and in so doing grips a portion of the material of the supporting sheet I5, thereby assisting in preventing rotation of the socket.

Extending upwardly from the base member Il is a circular Wall II having a radiallyV enlarged portion I8 thereon forming a circumferential recess IS in the interior of the wall. The recess I8 is concentrically arranged with respect to the wall Il and is shaped to receive a split ring spring member 20. The spring member 2U is disposed in the recess I9 to engage and retain the stud member 25 when it is vinserted into the socket and is smaller in ydiameter than the recess, thereby allowing the spring member room for lateral movement and expansion therein in response to aseparating force applied to the socket and stud members as will be more apparent hereinafter.

Integrally attached to the enlarged portion I8 and extending inwardly from the edge thereof is a tab or tongue 2 I. The tab 2I is curled inwardly over and around the spring member 20 and, as shown in Figs. 4 and 5, projects radially inwardly beyond the inner surface of the circular wall I'I for a purpose which will be hereinafter described. The stud member 25 comprises a shank having a concave neck portion 26 which is smoothly rounded inwardly in longitudinal cross section, that'is, as seen in Fig. 4, and has an enlarged head portion 2l disposed thereon forming a shoulder 28. The stud member 25 is adapted to 'be attached to a supporting sheet 29 in the conventional manner.

The socket member I may desirably be formed by drawing a flat sheet of suitable shape to provide the circular wall portion Il, the enlarged 2l provides a smoothly rounded inwardly projecting inner surface to conform generally to the shape of the concave neck portion 26 of the stud.

In accordance With the invention the circular innermost surface of the tab 2| and the portion.

of the wall II opposite thereto is less than the diameter of the enlarged head iportion21`of .the

stud member 25. By virtueof thisconstruction a disengaging or separatingiorce..applied.to-the stud and socket at any pointotherthan directly,

opposite the tab 2I causes the tab to engage the shoulder 28 of the stud member and the portion of the wall I'I opposite thereto to'engage1the'erra larged head of the stud (see Fig. 4). Since the distance between the tab and the opposite portion of .,the.wall I'Iis less than.the diameter .of the enlarged'head portion .of the stud member, rthe tab 2I cannot ride upwardlyover the shoulder 28 andlhence the stud and socket members are locked in assembled relation.

However, when a separating force is' appliedto thestud and socket members on .the side opposite the tab.2| the socket is tilted upwardly on thisside, pivoting the contracted neck portion 26 of the stud on the inwardly curled portion of the tab 2| (see.Fig..5). Duringnthis tilting move? slightly` greater. than. the .distancebetween the 1.

oppositely disposed contracted .and enlarged por-.- tions of the stud as measuredforexample,` along the. line A in Fig. 5.

In. assembling thesocket I with Ithe `stud the .inwardly curled locking taby ZI .of .thesocket is flrst positioned inthe contracted neckvr .portion 26 .of .the stud. Thestud and socketare then snappedinto locked engagement by pressingthem together.

The device ofthe .invention .provides a strong f and durable construction .for retainingfthestud and socket .members in .locked relation. against separating forces applied on three sides While permitting ready separation in responseto a separatinggforceapplied on .the fourth side... The.tab..2,l isreinforced -by the spring member. 2I3.about which it is curled and may, if desired, be further strengthened .and stiened .by extending V,the end thereof into. engagement with the wall of. theV socket...

Although I have illustrated and describedvone vpreferredform. of my invention, Ido. not wish to be .limited thereby as the .scope ofthe .invention is.best defined by theappended claims.

I claim.:

1.. A snap fastener socket memberior use ,with astud .having an enlarged headyportionanda contracted neck portion, saidsocket member comprisingra hollow body .having anopem'ng therein to receive the stud, said body having an annular The portion recess adjacent said opening, an annular expansible spring member disposed in said recess, and means on one side of said body extending r-adially into the opening protecting a portion of said spring on one side of the body from receiving aXiaLforces during insertion.andwithdrawal of the stud. Y

2. A snap fastener socket member for use with a.-.stud having an enlarged head portion and a contracted neck portion, said socket member comprising a; hollow body having an opening therein to receive thestud, said body having an annularrecess adjacent said opening, an annular expansiblespringmember disposed in said recess, and meanson said body extending around said spring on one side of the body and projecting radially into-the opening to prevent contact of the stud-,.and, the spring on said one side.

3. A snap fastener socket member for use with a stud having an enlarged head portion and a contracted neck portion, said socket member comprisng a hollowbody having an opening therein to receive .the Studsaidbody having an annular recess Vadjacent saidopening, an annular expansi; ble springmember disposed .in s aid recess, means on said .body confining said spring inthe recess on one side of the'body, said/means being disposed about thespring and projecting radially into the opening so that during Yinsertionand Withdrawal of a.stud, contact of the studwith the .spring is prevented..

4. A snap fastener socket member for use'vvith a. stud.having an enlarged head portion and a contracted. neck portion, saidr socket member comprising` a hollow body*r havingY an opening therein .to .receive the stud, said body having an annular recess adjacent said opening.an annularexpansible `spring member disposed in said recess, andlockingmeans on one sideof said body extending radiallyjinto saidopeningfor engagement with .the enlargedjhead of the studto preventdisengagementof the stud from the socket byaseparatingforceapplied on said one side, saidlocking. means extendirlg. around the spring so. as .to prevent contact between the `stud and the springwhensaiddisengagingforce is applied.

5; Asnap. fastener socket member for receiving in snapping engagement a stud havingran enlarged head. portion anda contracted neck porf- .tion,..saidi socket membercomprisinga hollow body.havinggatstudreceivingcavity, an internal Y annular recessinsaidbody, an. expansible ring spring member disposed in the recess, and a .tongue disposed on the body, .saidtongue being curledaround. the .spring on .one side'of thebody, the portion. of.the..tongue disposed about Vthe spring proj ectinggradially into` .the .studreceiving cavity a distance sufficient to project into the-.contractedgneck portionof anassembled stud...

6.' A snap fastener socket .memberforreceiving in snapping engagement a studhaving an enlargedhead portion .and va contracted neck .portion, saidv socket .member comprising a hollow walled body vhaving astud receiving cavity, an in.- ternal annular recess formed in thewall ofthe body, an expansiblering spring member disposed in therecess .and restrictingthe entrance .to the cavity, anda tongue extending from the upper edge of the wall of .the recess, said tongue extendinginwardly, downwardly and outwardly around the spring on one Side of the socket, the medial portion. of l the. tongue projecting intothe stud receiving cavity tofurther restrictthe entrance thereto. on said one side ofthe socket..

7.' A snap fastener socket member for receiving in snapping -engagement a stud having an enlarged head portion and a concave contracted neck portion, said socket comprising a base for attachment to a supporting sheet, a peripheral upstanding wall on the base forming a stud receiving cavity, said wall having an internal annular recess spaced from the base, an expansble ring spring member disposed in the recess and restricting the entrance to the cavity, and a tongue joined to the wall above the spring on one side of the socket, said tongue being curled inwardly around the spring and projecting into the stud receiving cavity to further restrict the entrance thereto on said one side of the socket, the portion of the tongue projecting into the cavity presenting a smoothly rounded surface for entering the concave contracted neck portion of an assembled stud.

8. A snap fastener assembly, comprising a stud having an enlarged head portion and a concave neck portion which is smoothly rounded inwardly in longitudinal cross section, and a socket member for receiving the stud in snapping engagement, said socket comprising a hollow body having tongue extending around the spring and having A a smoothly rounded inwardly projecting medial portion projecting into the stud receiving cavity in position to enter the concave neck portion of the stud. y Y

HAROLD S. VAN BUREN, JR..

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Nam-e Date 1,234,359 McCormack July 24, 1917 1,278,798 Carr Sept. 10, 1918 2,328,016 Huelster Aug. 31, 1943 2,441,573 Huelster May 18, 1948 2,552,764 Bedford May 15, 1951 

